Already ! It's already done. After its second victory in a row, the US Men's team has insured its qualifications to the quarter finals in the Gold Cup competition.

Bradley's boys only had to wait a short half hour to concretise a real domination against Trinidad & Tobago yesterday at the Home Depot Center, in Carson California, which is also the National Training Center. At home, after the victory against Guatemala earlier this week, two goals (one in each half) were enough to condemn a team of Trinidad not very well inspired. Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson were the heroes of the day.

But not only. I particularly liked Justin Mapp's performance. What a game. He gave the impression, everytime he touched the ball, to "give air" to his teamates. I want to enlight also the great entry, in the second half, of my favourite Donovan.

Coach Bradley, still, took some risks in changing a lot the composition of the team, right in the middle of the competition. He did well and proved that the USA had a quality team.

With 6 points, the Americans are sure to move to the quarter finals. Last game of group B will be in Foxborough (Massachusetts) in two days against El Salvador. Piece of cake ? 

I know I'm not the only one disappointed with the US performance at this Copa America. Three losses, whatever reasons we can find, it's not satisfactory.

Here are Bob Bradley's words after the game vs. Columbia yesterday : "In all three games, I think we had moments when we played well. We still must be more consistent over 90 minutes in order to move to the next level. As we have said over the last few weeks, it is a great challenge to play in back-to-back tournaments. You run into situations with the various clubs, and as a result we brought a younger team here.”

Then, about the competition itself : “This is an excellent tournament. The atmosphere in the stadiums, the passion, is something that is very special. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to have played in the 2007 Copa America."

OK. There's something I don't understand here. If you have the unique opportunity to play a in a huge competition like the Copa America, when you're a special guest and you have the opportunity to play Argentina and other big teams of the continent, you don't come with a B team, with only young guys without experience. And it's almost a question of honour, as the Gold Cup champions (that is to say the champion of North America !), to really give it a chance. What do you think ?

Sunday's Gold Cup Final in Chicago is promissing: the US national men's team will try to hold their title versus Mexico. Both teams defeated Canada and French Guadaloupe in the semi finals yesterday.

The American victory (2-1) was highlighted by Landon Donovan's 33rd goal of his national career (and already his 11th at the Gold Cup !) and the 100th cap of Kasey Keller. The keeper tied the record set by the unforgetable Tony Meola.

"We are very excited to be in the final. As a group, we have worked very hard, said coach Bradley after the game. I feel very good that we are getting stronger, the mentality is getting better, and it is very important to be in the final". Facing Mexico, though, is probably more challenging than Canada.